$21M Awarded in Birth Injury Suit

A jury awarded $21 million on Tuesday to a Baltimore couple in a malpractice lawsuit filed over their son’s birth injuries.

The suit was filed by Joel and Shantiah Norfleet against Harbor Hospital, where their son lost oxygen to his brain while in his mother’s womb during birth, causing him to be born with cerebral palsy.

The Norfleets argued that doctors should have performed a Caesarean section, rather than allowing their premature son, Jaylan, to undergo a lengthy natural birth.

Attorneys for the hospital said their client plans to appeal the verdict.